10 Ways the Royal Family Has Majorly Broken Royal Protocol

Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said "I do," people have become obsessed around all the ways the Duchess of Sussex has strayed away from royal tradition. But let's be clear — even though she's the newest royal, Meghan definitely isn't the first one to rebel against the monarch's protocol. She might get a lot of attention for it now, but if this list of regal rule challengers proves anything, it's that Meghan is in good company when it comes to pushing the boundaries:

Kate Middleton went to college.

Getty Images

This doesn't seem like it would be a big deal, but assuming that Prince William ascends to the throne one day, Kate would become the first queen ever to have a college education (and graduate with honors, by the way). The Duchess of Cambridge attended the University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland, which, as we know now, is where she ended up meeting the love of her life Will.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Kate and Meghan aren't aristocrats.

Getty Images

Unlike most royal pairs — where class and reputation is highly considered when choosing a life partner — Kate and Meghan both didn't come from British high society. Kate was born in Reading, Berkshire, England. Her father, Michael Middleton, was a pilot and her mother, Carole, was a flight attendant. Meanwhile, Meghan, of course, didn't grow up in the U.K. at all. Meghan was raised as a California girl in Los Angeles by Thomas Markle, her father and a lighting director, and her mother, Doria, who worked as a mental health clinic worker and yoga instructor.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding vows had a twist.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Getty Images

At the beginning of the ceremony, The Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, used Harry and Meghan's real names — Henry and Rachel. Everyone expected that they would have to go by their formal monikers, but all that changed when the Archbishop changed to saying Harry and Meghan:

No one should enter into it lightly or selfishly but reverently and responsibly in the sight of almighty God. Harry and Meghan are now to enter this way of life. They will each give their consent to the other and make solemn vows, and in token of this they will each give and receive a ring.

From then on, Meghan and Harry addressed each other as such in their vows.

I, Harry, take you, Meghan, to be my wife...

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

I, Meghan, take you, Harry, to be my husband...

This was a huge moment, considering the Duchess of Cambridge went by Catherine (not Kate) and Will went by William. Meghan's omission of the phrase "obey my husband" was also a break with tradition, especially since Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, and Princess Anne all included the promise. Before her, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton also decided to not use the word "obey."

Princess Eugenie's constant fashion-forward outfits ...

Getty Images

The princess of York has always been a primary fashionista in the family. While she looks amazing in whatever she wears, sometimes her outfits tend to bend HRH's rules. Take this gorgeous black leather dress, for example. Leather really isn't something you see the regal family wear very often. So when Eugenie decided to don the material for a launch party in 2016, the choice was deemed surprising. Regardless, we love how Eugenie takes risks with fashion and hopes she goes for a more daring look for her upcoming nuptials.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Meghan's outfits have also caused a stir.

Getty Images

Meghan has shown us time and time again that when it comes to what she wears, her rules trump all. At the Trooping the Colour ceremony, the Duchess of Sussex defied expectation and went with a pale pink, off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera dress — a style that raised a few eyebrows. This is just one of Meghan's rule-bending fashion moments, though. Meghan also challenges protocol when she dons her famous messy bun on numerous occasions. Rule-breaking or not, like Eugenie, she always looks amazing.

Kate and Will didn't leave for their honeymoon immediately.

Getty Images

Usually, regal couples who just tied the knot would promptly leave for their honeymoon right away on the same day of their wedding, reports Express. But Kate and Will were likely so exhausted (paired with the fact that the Duke had to go back to work as a search-and-rescue pilot) that they didn't follow through with tradition. In fact, the two didn't jet off to their private island vacation until 10 whole days later. But the important thing is that they did get to go eventually, and their decision didn't have any negative consequences ... well, that we know of.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.